Denise Elerick: So-called 'junkies' cannot be categorized

In the weeks following the news of the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes I could feel a collective, "Huh? Wait a minute. He did not look like a drug addict. He was not living under a bridge." I commend the Sentinel for publishing the subsequent story on the use of illicit drugs and Silicon Valley's work culture. In March, I wrote an oped that said that "those 'junkies' are moms, dads, teens, business owners, doctors, lawyers, and some homeless." My point is, they are us and they are someone's family member.

Although I understand our own collective curiosity and I understand the curiosity of the nation, I cannot help but feel for the children, family and friends of Mr. Hayes. They are not only in the grips of grief and loss, but that loss is compounded by the emotions surrounding the very public airing of his dual life. Would we be as compelled and mystified if Mr. Hayes was a day laborer or a former inmate on probation? Not likely. The fact that he was a complex man, professionally accomplished, a loving father and family man is telling of the human toll that substance abuse takes on a family and on a community. The stereotype of what a user looks like has flown out the window.

The fork in the road is now. We must put our well-intentioned yet virtually impossible and terribly naive desire to "rid the streets of drugs" aside. Has that agenda added to the stereotyping of users? We must put our beliefs aside that tell us that all people who use heroin are monsters. We must look at the lives left in the aftermath and offer an outstretched hand of support and care, not a outstretched finger pointing, whispering and judgment.

There is no need for compassion if you are not capable. If you are lacking, that is your own individual path in life. It is a misnomer that programs such as the county-run syringe exchange program is "about compassion for the user." The only people who must and do have compassion without judgment are our health-care workers and our public health experts and professionals trained in care for the entire community, not just the insured, the wealthy, the housed, the tech executive.